Alex Abisheganaden
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BIBLIOASIA APR – JUN 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 01 / NL Notes In 2015, Abisheganaden donated his collec- He also managed to master the piano accordion On his passion for tion of handwritten scores, notes and books on the without taking any formal lessons. teaching: double bass, guitar ensemble and choral singing When he was 15, Abisheganaden witnessed “Imparting knowledge, to the National Library, Singapore. A total of 158 the fall of Singapore when Japanese forces THE having rapport with people items have since been placed on the shelves of invaded the island on 15 February 1942. The is a great kind of blessing, the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library at Victoria Occupation years were a time of deprivation and I would say. It is a great Street and the Library@Esplanade. hardship for many, but fortunately for Abishega- thing… because I have This article explores the musical genius naden, his family and many other Indians were been able to help a num- of this guitar maestro and previews some of kept relatively out of harm’s way as a result of ber of people along the way the handwritten scores he used to teach during special ties between the Japanese and the Indian through life. And it seems his illustrious career as an educator. With this National Army. to me that this has been my donation, the National Library is hopeful that Abisheganaden’s strong musical skills stood great commitment which future generations of musicians will benefit from him in good stead during the Japanese Occupa- GUITAR MAN I was destined to do. I had studying Abisheganaden’s sizable canon of works. tion years. He found employment by playing the ALEX ABISHEGANADEN been able to touch people’s guitar in an Indian orchestra for the Azad-Hind lives, help them through radio station, which broadcasted pro-Japanese, Early Life and see them progress.”1 anti-British propaganda in support of the Indian Abisheganaden was born into an Indian Lutheran National Army. Because of his adept singing and family of nine children in 1926. His earliest excellent command of the Japanese language, memories of music were those in his home at Abisheganaden was asked by the Japanese Buffalo Road, singing hymns and Christian songs authorities to sing Japanese folk and propaganda with his family. His father played the violin and songs over the radio ukulele, and his similarly talented older brothers, After World War II, Abisheganaden com- Paul, Gerard and Geoffrey, were also musicians. pleted his Senior Cambridge examination and Thanks to these early influences, Abisheganaden embarked on a career in teaching. He taught at cultivated a lifelong passion for music. Rangoon Road Primary School between 1947 and His talents were spotted at a tender age of 1957, and later became the principal of several six when he made his debut on stage as a singer in primary schools until 1963. He was subsequently a variety show at Moonlight Hall, on the grounds promoted to Inspector of Schools at the Ministry of New World amusement park in Jalan Besar. of Education, a role he helmed until 1981. Numerous performance opportunities followed and this became an unbroken pattern throughout Family Life his entire musical career. The recognition that Abisheganaden received Abisheganaden met his future wife, Eileen Wong, early on in life affirmed his musical gifts. Besides at the Teachers’ Training College in the 1950s. Both being a naturally gifted singer, Abishenagaden shared a common interest in music and attended also picked up the guitar easily, having taught the same church. Brought up by strict Christian himself to play the instrument at age 15 using Cantonese parents in a traditional household, the textbook, Ellis Through School for Guitar. Eileen was the eldest child and her parents had (Facing page) Alex Abishega- naden teaching a young boy how to play the guitar (undated). All rights reserved, Eric Foo Chee Meng 1979–2001. Courtesy of National Arts Council. (Left) Alex Abisheganaden is in the second row holding the Alexander S. Abisheganaden, more popularly double bass in this photo taken Hailed as the “Father of the Guitar”, this known as Alex Abisheganaden, is an accomplished in the 1960s. He is with mem- Singaporean musician who was conferred the bers of the Goh Soon Tioe String Orchestra. Goh Soon Tioe is in pioneer musician has spent the last 50 years Cultural Medallion in 1988. The award honours a the second row, first from the championing the classical guitar movement in individuals who have achieved excellence in the left. Goh Soon Tioe Collection, fields of literary arts, performing arts, visual courtesy of National Archives Singapore. Joy Loh charts his illustrious career. arts and film, and have contributed to the city’s of Singapore. cultural environment. Often referred to as the “Father of the Gui- tar”, Abisheganaden is regarded by many in the music circle as Singapore’s first home-grown classical guitarist and double bassist – an affa- Joy Loh is an Associate Librarian with the National Library, Singapore. Her job ble and generous musician who has dedicated entails managing and developing the library’s performing arts collection as well as much of his life educating and popularising the overseeing the MusicSG digital archive. Joy also enjoys making magic in the kitchen. performance of music on the guitar. 60 61 BIBLIOASIA APR – JUN 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 01 / NL Notes high expectations of her. Marrying outside of Cheung; and “Jingli Nona” (or Jinkli Nona, which Turning Professional References one’s race in those days was uncommon and means “Fair Maiden”), one of the most popular Chan, B. (2008, July 4). Teacher’s pet often frowned upon by society. In 1950, an opportunity came knocking on Portuguese Eurasian folk songs. It was often project. The Straits Times, p. 68. Despite the challenges the couple faced Abisheganaden's door. From his brother Paul, sung and performed at Eurasian weddings, and Retrieved from NewspaperSG during their early courtship days, the determined Abisheganaden found out that the Singapore the dance movements are somewhat similar to Chang, T. L. (2007, March 27). The Abisheganaden was clearly not to be deterred Junior Symphony Orchestra was looking for a the Malay joget. sounds of joyous youth. The Straits Times, p. 49. Retrieved from from marrying Eileen. Unable to receive neither double bass player. In return for the loan of a free Abisheganaden also composed works NewspaperSG his father-in-law’s permission nor blessing, the instrument, Abisheganaden agreed to play for the for the guitar – including original pieces and Chua, C. H. (Interviewer). (1993, March couple sought the help of Eileen’s uncle, Lee Swee orchestra and to pay for his own formal lessons. transcriptions of popular songs – for didactic 9–1993, September 5). Oral history Cheng, a prominent individual in Singapore’s The next few years he spent studying the purpose as a means to train and improve playing interview with Paul Abisheganaden business circles, to give the bride away in place bass under Hungarian cellist Feri Krempl turned techniques of the guitar orchestra. Iconic works [Transcript of recording no. 001415/48/01, p. 7]. Retrieved from of her father. Sixty-one years later, the couple is out to be a major turning point in Abisheganaden’s include the 16-bar long “Katong Blues,” a short National Archives of Singapore still happily married with two children, Jacintha, musical development. From picking up music work composed in 1971 for the TV programme website. 60, and Peter, 57. through experimentation and trial and error, Music Making with the Guitar, which derived its Email correspondence with Balraj Abisheganaden’s children, too, grew up in Abisheganaden rose to become an accomplished name from the east coast district in Singapore, Gopal, Bernard Tan Tiong Gie, Neo Pay Peng, Ng Shu Haan, James an environment filled with music during their virtuoso, taking proficiency exams in various and “Huan Yin-Vanakam”, a double concerto Heng and Jacinta Abisheganaden formative years. His wife was also musically instruments, including the double bass and Abisheganaden composed in 1995 for the sitar, between December 2016 and talented, and often sang and played the piano classical guitar. erhu and guitar orchestra. February 2017. at home. Aisheganaden’s brother, Paul, had In 1960, Abisheganaden became the first “Huan Yin-Vanakam” combines elements Indian boys who speak Hokkien. (2003, established the Singapore Junior Symphony person in Southeast Asia to receive a Licentiate of Indian and Chinese folk music – musical tradi- August 3). The Straits Times, p. 3. Retrieved from NewspaperSG Orchestra (later known as the Singapore Cham- of the Royal Schools of Music for performance tions that Abisheganaden has kept close to his Nanda, A. (2011, October 17). Strings ber Ensemble) in the 1950s, and Jacintha reveals on the double bass. A year later, as he was heart. The concerto blends sinuous Chinese folk of passion. The Straits Times, p. 4. that her home was often used as a rehearsal keen to pursue a college education, the plucky melodies with the rhythmic tempo of songs sung Retrieved from NewspaperSG venue. Jacintha has fond memories of how she Abisheganaden went back to school with the aid by Indian foreign workers that Abisheganaden National Library Board. (2008). Alex Abisheganaden written by often “met fabulous people, listened up close of a grant, despite having to raise a family with remembered from his childhood days. Together Chang, Tou Liang. Retrieved from to the most intrepid classical music and every two young children. with the inclusion of Chinese and Indian musi- Singapore Infopedia. day was a party.”2 He spent a year overseas at the Royal Col- activities and keep them away from the clutches cal instruments as well as Western classical National Library Board.